Notes Chapter 5 The Rise of Empires Class 7 Social Science

Introduction

• Quote by Kautilya: “There cannot be a country without people and there is no kingdom without a country” (from Arthashastra).
• Focus: The chapter explores the concept of empires, their rise, features, and impact on Indian civilization from the 6th to 2nd century BCE.
• Setting: The narrative begins with Bhavisha and Dhruv using a time machine called Itihasa to visit Pataliputra (modern-day Patna), the capital of the Mauryan Empire.

1. What is an Empire?

Definition:

• An empire is a large territory comprising multiple smaller kingdoms or territories under a powerful ruler (emperor).
• Derived from the Latin word imperium (supreme power).
• Smaller kingdoms act as tributaries, paying tribute (money, gold, grain, livestock, etc.) to the emperor as a sign of loyalty.

Sanskrit Terms for Emperor:

• Samraj: Lord of all or supreme ruler.
• Adhiraja: Overlord.
• Rajadhiraja: King of kings.

Tributary/Vassal: A ruler or state that submits to the emperor and pays tribute.

Historical Context: Indian history is marked by the rise and fall of empires, with the last empire existing less than a century ago.

2. Features of an Empire

An empire is characterized by the following features:

• Central Authority: The emperor exerts control over tributary territories and their rulers.
• Military Power: Maintains a strong army to control tributary states, expand the empire, and protect it from external threats.
• Administration: Designs an administrative system with officials to manage territories, collect taxes, and maintain law and order.
• Laws and Economy: Issues laws, currencies, weights, and measures, and regulates trade.
• Resource Control: Manages access to resources like mines, forests, agricultural produce, and manpower.
• Infrastructure: Develops communication networks (roads, river, and sea navigation) for administration, trade, and welfare.
• Cultural Promotion: Encourages art, literature, religions, schools of thought, and centers of learning.

3. Factors Facilitating Transition from Kingdoms to Empires

• Ambition for Power: Rulers aimed to control vast territories to gain fame and be remembered for posterity.
• Economic and Military Strength: Access to resources (e.g., fertile land, minerals) and a strong army enabled conquests.
• Wealth Accumulation: Controlling trade routes and resources increased wealth for the ruler and the empire.
• Strategic Warfare: Kingdoms with superior military power became overlords by conquering weaker neighbors.
• Fortifications: Strategic fortified settlements were built to secure borders.
• Trade Control: Controlling rivers and trade networks provided tax revenue and resources.
• Alliances and Diplomacy: Forming alliances or allowing regional kings to govern under the emperor’s authority ensured stability.

4. Trade, Trade Routes, and Guilds

Economic Importance:

• Maintaining an army and infrastructure required significant economic power.
• Trade was crucial for generating income and ensuring the welfare of people.

Trade Routes:

• Major routes like Uttarapatha (northern route) and Dakshinapatha (southern route) connected cities like Taxila, Pataliputra, and Kaveripattanam.
• Goods traded: Textiles, spices, agricultural produce, gems, handicrafts, and animals.
• Trade extended beyond India via land and sea routes.

Guilds (Shrenis):

• Associations of traders, craftsmen, moneylenders, or agriculturists.
• Led by an elected head and executive officers with ethical qualities.

Benefits:

• Collaboration over competition by sharing resources and market information.
• Autonomy to create internal rules without royal interference.
• Guilds spread across India and influenced trade practices for centuries.

5. The Rise of Magadha

• Time Period: 6th to 4th century BCE.
• Context: The period saw the rise of 16 mahajanapadas (large kingdoms) in north and central India.

Magadha’s Rise:

Location: Modern-day south Bihar, rich in resources (fertile Ganga plains, forests, elephants, iron ore).

Key Advantages:

• Fertile land and iron ploughs increased agricultural surplus.
• Iron weapons strengthened the army.
• Ganga and Son rivers facilitated trade and transportation.

Key Ruler: Ajatashatru established Magadha as a dominant power.

Nanda Dynasty (5th century BCE):

• Founded by Mahapadma Nanda, who unified smaller kingdoms.
• Issued coins, showcasing economic power.
• Maintained a large army, as per Greek accounts.
• Last ruler, Dhana Nanda, was unpopular due to oppressive rule, leading to the dynasty’s downfall.

6. The Arrival of the Greeks

Context: Northwestern India had smaller kingdoms along trade routes connecting to the Mediterranean.

Alexander’s Campaign (334–323 BCE):

• Alexander, a Macedonian king, conquered the Persian Empire and reached India (327–325 BCE).
• Defeated Porus in the Battle of Hydaspes (Punjab) but faced fierce resistance from local tribes.
• His soldiers, tired and homesick, refused to march further toward the Ganga River.
• Alexander retreated via a harsh coastal route, suffering heavy losses.
• After his death in 323 BCE, his empire was divided among his generals and satraps.

Cultural Impact:

• Limited political impact but fostered Indo-Greek cultural exchanges.
• Alexander’s dialogue with Gymnosophists (Indian sages) highlighted the meeting of Greek and Indian philosophies.
• Satraps: Governors of provinces who wielded significant power in far-off territories.

7. The Mighty Mauryas

Foundation: The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya around 321 BCE, after overthrowing the Nandas.

Expansion:

• With guidance from Kautilya (Chanakya), Chandragupta expanded the empire from the northern plains to the Deccan plateau.
• Defeated Greek satraps in the northwest and integrated their territories.

Kautilya’s Role:

• A teacher at Taxila University, Kautilya vowed to end Dhana Nanda’s rule after being insulted.
• Authored Arthashastra, a treatise on governance, economics, and politics.

Introduced the Saptanga (seven pillars of a kingdom):

1. King (Swami).
2. Ministers/Councillors (Amatya).
3. Territory and Population (Janapada).
4. Fortified Cities (Durga).
5. Treasury (Kosha).
6. Army (Danda).
7. Allies (Mitra).

Emphasized people’s welfare, law and order, and anti-corruption measures.

Megasthenes:

• A Greek diplomat in Chandragupta’s court, wrote Indika (now lost, but quoted by later scholars).
• Described Mauryan society, administration, and prosperity.

8. The King Who Chose Peace: Ashoka

Reign: 268–232 BCE, Chandragupta’s grandson.

Early Rule:

Expanded the Mauryan Empire to cover most of the Indian subcontinent (except the southernmost regions).

Kalinga War:

• Waged a destructive war in Kalinga (modern-day Odisha).
• The immense loss of life led Ashoka to adopt non-violence and Buddhist principles.

Ashoka’s Transformation:

• Embraced Dharma (moral law, duty, ethics) and promoted peace.
• Issued edicts in Prakrit (using Brahmi script) on rocks and pillars, encouraging people to follow dharma.
• Called himself Devanampiya Piyadasi (Beloved of the Gods, one who regards others with kindness).

Contributions:

• Sent emissaries to spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Central Asia.
• Provided medical care for people and animals, banned hunting, and promoted wildlife conservation.
• Built rest houses, wells, and planted trees along roads.
• Encouraged tolerance among different sects (Buddhists, Jains, Brahmans, Ajivikas).

Legacy:

• Known as a “great communicator” for his edicts.
• His symbols (e.g., Sarnath pillar’s lion capital) became India’s national emblem, and the dharmachakra is on the national flag.

9. Life in the Mauryan Period

Urban Centers:

• Pataliputra was a bustling city with palaces, public buildings, and well-planned streets.
• Cities had signage, water vessels for fire safety, and wooden houses (up to two storeys).

Economy:

• A strong taxation system and trade filled the treasury.
• Agriculture was the backbone, with two crops per year due to summer and winter rains.
• Granaries ensured food security (e.g., Sohagaura copper plate inscription mentions granaries).

Society:

• Farmers, artisans (blacksmiths, potters, carpenters, jewellers), merchants, and officials were key groups.
• People wore cotton garments and leather shoes with designs.
• Communication: Couriers carried messages across the empire.

10. Mauryan Art and Architecture

• Pillars: Highly polished stone pillars (e.g., Sarnath pillar with lion capital) symbolized royal power and Buddhist teachings.
• Stupas: The Great Stupa at Sanchi, built with bricks and later enlarged with stone, housed sacred relics.
• Rock Sculptures: Life-size elephant at Dhauli symbolized the Buddha’s qualities.
• Terracotta Figurines: Depicted dancing girls, deities, and animals, showcasing artistic skills.
• Coins: Punch-marked coins with symbols reflected economic prosperity.

11. The Fragile Nature of Empires

Challenges:

• Large empires were hard to manage, especially distant territories.
• Demands for tribute caused resentment among local rulers.
• Weak successors or economic crises (e.g., droughts, floods) led to rebellions.

Paradox:

Empires brought political unity and prosperity but were established through war and maintained by force, making them unstable.

Mauryan Decline: After Ashoka’s death, successors failed to hold the empire together, and smaller kingdoms became independent by 185 BCE.